Cabinet for dental/medical operatory

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a pivoting drawer for use in cabinet. The drawer slides out obliquely and rotates such that the drawer moves from a closed position to an open position in a coordinated sliding and pivoting manner. The drawer is able to be opened while avoiding objects located in front of the drawer. The drawer is particularly useful in dental operatory cabinets where efficient use of small spaces is desired. Also disclosed herein is a cabinet useful for a medical or dental operatory that includes a cabinet frame structure that defines supply space in the cabinet and includes one or more drawers. At least one of the one or more drawers is supported by the cabinet frame structure and is movable from a closed position disposed within the drawer space to an open position outside of said frame structure. The cabinet has a first end and a second end and the drawer is slidable in an oblique fashion (i.e. oblique to a vertical cross-sectional plane between the first and second ends) and rotable about a vertical axis of the drawer. The drawer moves to an open position in a coordinately obliquely sliding and pivoting motion.

FIELD

This invention relates to dental operatory systems, and particularly dental cabinet systems designed for efficient workspace utilization.

BACKGROUND

With the increased effort to maximize the service and monetary return per square foot of dental office space, dental operatories are increasingly requiring the efficient use of smaller, more crowded spaces. The typical dental operatory includes, of course, the dental chair for the patient to sit while receiving dental care, the dental assistant or hygienist chair/stool and the dentist chair/stool present in the operator. Furthermore, the operatory includes dental tool systems, equipment, trays, and storage cabinets, among other things. If during a dental procedure a dental provider needs to obtain supplies from a supply drawer, space constraints most likely will require that the dental provider remove themselves from the optimal position about the patient, and reposition their sitting device to make room for a supply drawer to open, and/or to access the supply drawer. Conventional supply drawers slide straight out; thus, any object or person in front of the drawer must be moved to allow the drawer to open. Furthermore, in conventional storage cabinets, drawers open toward the center of the room where, unfortunately, most of the space is occupied by people or objects related to the dental procedure as described above.

SUMMARY

The inventors have realized that there is a need for providing a dental storage cabinet that enables a more efficient usage of the limited amount of space in a medical/dental operatory. The inventors have devised a cabinet that includes one or more drawers that can slide and pivot out from the drawer space so as to minimize the need to move objects positioned in front of the drawer. This cabinet will enable, for example, a dental service provider to be able to open a drawer while sitting in front and/or partially in front of the drawer needing to be accessed. The cabinet naturally increases efficiency of medical/dental service since the dental service provider need not move, or get up from their seat in order to access supplies desired for the procedure they are performing.

In one embodiment, the invention pertains to a cabinet useful for a medical or dental operatory that includes a cabinet frame structure that defines supply space in the cabinet and includes one or more drawers. At least one of the one or more drawers is supported by the cabinet frame structure and is movable from a closed position disposed within the drawer space to an open position outside of said frame structure. The cabinet has a first end and a second end and the drawer is slidable in an oblique fashion (i.e. oblique to a vertical cross-sectional plane between the first and second ends) and rotable about a vertical axis of the drawer. The drawer moves to an open position in a coordinately obliquely sliding and pivoting motion.

According to another embodiment, the invention pertains to a drawer that is configured to move from a closed position to an open position in a coordinately obliquely sliding and pivoting motion. The drawer has a bottom member and one or more side members defining a drawer storage space. The bottom member is supported onto a base secured to a cabinet frame structure. In a more specific embodiment, associated between the bottom member and the base is a sliding mechanism and a rotating mechanism. Those skilled in the art will appreciate, in view of the teachings herein, that the arrangement between the bottom member, sliding mechanism, rotating mechanism and base for this embodiment can take several acceptable forms. For example, the bottom member may be engaged to the sliding mechanism which is engaged to the rotating mechanism, which is engaged to the base. Alternatively, the bottom member is engaged to the rotating mechanism, which is engaged to the sliding mechanism, which is, in turn, engaged to the base. In an even more specific embodiment, the rotation of the drawer is governed by a guide member. The guide member may be an arm having a first and second pivot ends. One end of the arm is pivotably attached to a location on the drawer and the other end of the arm is pivotably attached to the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained in the following description in view of the drawings that show:

FIG. 1 represents a top perspective of a cabinet embodiment for use in a medical/dental operatory.

FIG. 2 represents a top perspective view of a cabinet embodiment with a obliquely sliding and pivoting drawer embodiment in an open position.

FIG. 3 shows a front, side perspective view of a drawer embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom, side perspective view of a drawer embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a bottom, side perspective view of a drawer embodiment with base removed to reveal a sliding and rotating mechanism.

FIG. 6 shows a bottom planar view of a drawer embodiment with a sliding and rotating mechanism in a closed position 6A, a partially open position 6B, and fully open position 6C.

FIG. 7 shows a front perspective view of a cabinet with doors and drawers removed to reveal cabinet frame structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a top, perspective view of a cabinet embodiment 5 useful in a medical/dental operatory. The cabinet comprises a first end 6 and a second end 7, a top surface portion 8, and a front side surface portion 9. The cabinet 5 includes a drawer 12, as well as any number of drawers and/or doors. FIG. 2 shows the cabinet embodiment 5 with an obliquely sliding and pivoting drawer embodiment 12 in an open position. The drawer 12 is opened from a drawer space 14 defined in the cabinet.

FIG. 3 shows a front, side perspective view of the drawer embodiment 12 isolated from the cabinet. FIG. 4 shows a bottom, side perspective of the drawer embodiment 12. The drawer 12 includes a front side member, a first lateral side member 17, a second lateral side member 18 and a back side member 19. The drawer 12 is supported by a base 20. The base 20 is secured to the cabinet by a bracket such as 21. FIG. 7 shows a front perspective view of a cabinet with doors and drawers removed to reveal cabinet frame structure 10′. The ends 6 and 7 are also shown. The base 20 is shown secured to the cabinet frame by bracket 21. Those skilled in the art will appreciate, in view of the teachings herein, that the cabinet frame members may take numerous suitable forms. For drawer embodiments, the cabinet should define a drawer space and provide a frame member upon which the drawer can be supported.

FIG. 5 shows a side, bottom perspective view of the drawer 12 with the base 20 (dashed line) removed to reveal a sliding assembly 22 and a rotating assembly 30 which enables a sliding and pivoting motion of the drawer 12 when moved to an open position. The sliding assembly includes a first 23 and second 25 inner sliding members and a first 24 and second 26 outer sliding members. The inner sliding members 23, 25 and outer sliding members 24, 26 are configured so as to slide respective to each other according to parallel directions. Engaged to outer sliding member 26 is slide bracket 28. A slide bracket is engaged to outer sliding member 24 but is hidden. Engaged to inner slide members 23 and 25 are slide bracket members 50 and 52 respectively.

The rotating assembly 30 includes an outer ring member 32 and an inner ring member 34. The outer and inner ring member 32 and 34 rotate respective to each other at the ring bearing 39. The outer ring member 32 is secured to the bottom member 15 of the drawer 12 at ring holes 31 a-e. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the ring member 32 may be secured to the drawer bottom member 15 via the use of numerous suitable securement means, including but not limited to, tacks, rivets, screws, dowels, pins, clamps, and the like. The inner ring member 34 is secured to the slide bracket 28 at bracket holes 33 a-b. The slide bracket 29 (see FIG. 6 a) is secured to the inner ring member 34 at holes defined therein. The inner slide bracket members 50 and 52 secure the slide assembly 22 to the base 20 at holes 35 a-c and 37 a-c respectively.

Associated with the drawer 12 at the bottom member 15 and the base 20 is a rotating guide assembly 40. The rotating guide assembly includes an arm 42 with a first pivot end 46 and a second pivot end 48. The first end 46 pivotably attaches to the bottom member 15 via rotating shaft 43. The second end 48 pivotably attaches to the base 20 via rotating shaft 45. The first and second pivot ends are rotatably associated with shafts 43 and 45.

Turning to FIG. 6A, a top planar view of the rotating assembly 30 and sliding assembly 22 is shown. The drawer 12 (dashed lines), the sliding assembly 22 (with inner sliding members 23, 25 and outer sliding members 24, 26), the rotating assembly 30 (with outer ring and inner ring members 32, 34; and rotating guide assembly 40 (with arm 42 and first and second arm ends 46, 48) are shown in a closed position. Also shown are outer brackets 28, 29 and inner brackets 50, 52. Attention is drawn to reference points 60 and 62. Turning to FIG. 6B, the drawer 12, sliding assembly 22 and the rotating assembly 30 is in a partially open position. Reference point 60 on the outer ring has rotated to the left when compared to the closed position in FIG. 6A, but reference point 62 has not rotated. This demonstrates that the outer ring 32 which is attached to the drawer 12 has rotated in contrast to the inner ring 34 secured to the outer bracket 29. Furthermore, pivot end 46 has moved as represented by arrow 64. Also, outer slide members 24, 26 have slid out relative to inner slide members 23, 25. FIG. 6C is a top planar view of the drawer 12 in the fully open position. Reference point 60 has rotated even farther to the left and pivot end 46 has moved even farther to the left.

While one or more embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Variations, changes and substitutions may be made without departing from the invention herein. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The teachings of all references cited herein are incorporated in their entirety to the extent not inconsistent with the teachings herein. 

1. A cabinet useful in a medical or dental operatory, the cabinet comprising a cabinet frame structure that defines at least one drawer space, said cabinet comprising a first end and a second end; and at least one drawer supported by the cabinet frame structure, said drawer being (i) movable from a closed position disposed within the at least one drawer space to an open position outside of said cabinet frame structure, (ii) obliquely slidable with respect to a vertical cross-sectional plane between said first and second ends, and (iii) rotable about a vertical axis of the drawer, wherein said at least one drawer moves to an open position in a coordinated obliquely sliding and pivoting motion.
 2. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein said cabinet frame structure comprises a base onto which said drawer is supported and further comprising a sliding assembly and a rotating assembly associated with said drawer and said base to provide said obliquely sliding and pivoting motion.
 3. The cabinet of claim 2, wherein said rotating assembly is secured to said drawer and said sliding assembly is secured to said base, or vice versa.
 4. The cabinet of claim 2, wherein said sliding assembly comprises a first and second inner sliding members and a first and second outer sliding members.
 5. The cabinet of claim 2, wherein said rotating assembly comprises an outer ring member and an inner ring member that rotate respective to each other at a ring bearing.
 6. The cabinet of claim 5, wherein said drawer comprises a bottom member that is secured to said outer ring member or said inner ring member.
 7. The cabinet of claim 4, wherein said base is secured to said inner sliding members or said outer sliding members or one of each.
 8. The cabinet of claim 7, wherein said bottom member is secured to said outer ring member, said outer sliding members are secured to said inner ring member and said inner sliding members are secured to said base.
 9. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein said drawer comprises a bottom member and said cabinet frame structure comprises a base onto which said drawer is supported, and further comprising a rotating guide assembly configured to control pivoting motion of said drawer.
 10. The cabinet of claim 9, wherein said rotating guide assembly comprises an elongated arm member having a first pivot end and a second pivot end, wherein said first pivot end is pivotably engaged to said bottom member and said second pivot end is pivotably engaged to said base.
 11. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein said cabinet comprises a front side comprising first and second ends, wherein said at least one drawer opens at either said first or second ends.
 12. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein said drawer moves to said open position according to a path that avoids an object situated in front of said drawer and moves out to a side of said object.
 13. A drawer useful in a dental operatory cabinet, said drawer comprising a bottom member and one or more side walls to define a storage space; a rotating assembly associated with said drawer; and a sliding assembly associated with said drawer, wherein said rotating and sliding assembly are configured such that said drawer may be moved from a closed position when supported in a drawer space defined in said dental operatory cabinet, to an open position in a coordinated obliquely sliding and pivoting motion
 14. The drawer of claim 13, further comprising an rotating guide assembly comprising an arm with first and second pivot ends, wherein said first pivot end is associated with said drawer.
 15. The drawer of claim 13, wherein said rotating assembly comprises an outer ring member and an inner ring member that rotate respective to each other at a ring bearing.
 16. The drawer of claim 13, wherein said sliding assembly comprises a first and second inner sliding members and a first and second outer sliding members.
 17. A cabinet useful in a medical or dental operatory, the cabinet comprising a cabinet frame structure that defines at least one drawer space, said cabinet comprising a first end and a second end; at least one drawer supported by a base in the cabinet frame structure, said drawer comprising a bottom member and at least one side wall to define a storage space; a rotating assembly associated with said at least one drawer; a sliding assembly associated with said at least one drawer; wherein said rotating assembly and said sliding assembly are disposed between said bottom member and said base such that said drawer is (i) movable from a closed position disposed within the at least one drawer space to an open position outside of said cabinet frame structure, (ii) obliquely slidable with respect to a vertical cross-sectional plane between said first and second ends, and (iii) rotable about a vertical axis of the drawer, wherein said at least one drawer moves to an open position in a coordinated obliquely sliding and pivoting motion.
 18. The cabinet of claim 17, wherein said cabinet comprises a front side comprising first and second ends, wherein said at least one drawer opens at either said first or second ends.
 19. The cabinet of claim 17, wherein said said rotating assembly comprises an outer ring member and an inner ring member that rotate respective to each other at a ring bearing; said sliding assembly comprises a first and second inner slide members and first and second outer slide members; and said bottom member is secured to said outer ring member, said outer sliding members are secured to said inner ring member and said inner sliding members are secured to said base. 